The Red River Cultural District is the stretch of Red River Street between 6th and 10th Streets, and it's home to some of Austin's best music venues. Stubb's Amphitheater alone hosts hundreds of shows a year. The parking situation isn't terrible — there are garages within a block of everything — but on sold-out show nights you need a plan.
Best Garages for Red River Shows
Palm School Garage (411 E 8th St) Reserve on SpotHero →
The closest covered garage to Stubb's — literally a 2-minute walk. This is the default for Red River shows. On event nights expect $10–15 flat rate. Pre-book on SpotHero to guarantee your spot and sometimes save a few dollars off walk-up pricing.
Austin Convention Center Garages (500 E Cesar Chavez) Reserve on SpotHero →
Two garages here — the main Convention Center garage and a surface lot. Slightly further from Stubb's (5–7 minute walk) but large capacity and usually available even on big nights. Rates run $10–20 depending on event.
Rainey Street Garages (walkable alternative)
The garages serving the Rainey Street bar district (93 Red River St, Quincy Garage) are about a 10-minute walk south on Red River. On nights when the Palm School Garage is full, these are your next best bet. Walk north on Red River — it's a straight shot.
| Option | Distance to Stubb's | Event Night Rate | Book Ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm School Garage | 2 min walk | $10–15 flat | Recommended |
| Convention Center Garage | 7 min walk | $10–20 | Yes for big shows |
| Rainey St Garages | 10 min walk | $8–12 | Optional |
| Street (Red River/7th/8th) | 1–3 min walk | Free after 10pm (wkdays) | N/A |
Street Parking on Red River
Street meters on Red River Street and the surrounding blocks run until 10 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends. During that window, metered spots on E 7th, E 8th, and E 9th Streets are available — plan on $1.50–2.00/hr via the Park ATX app or kiosk.
After enforcement ends, street spots open up significantly. If you're heading to a late show (9 PM+), arriving after 10 PM on a weeknight means you may find free street parking within a block of the venues.
For Stubb's outdoor shows: book the Palm School Garage on SpotHero 24–48 hours ahead. Flat rates are $10–15 and you'll know exactly where you're going. Walk-up surface lots nearby jack up to $20–25 on sold-out nights. Save yourself $10 and 20 minutes of stress.
Venue-by-Venue Parking Notes
Stubb's Amphitheater (801 Red River St)
Outdoor amphitheater (2,750 cap) and indoor Waller Creek Amphitheater. No dedicated venue lot — use Palm School Garage or street. Red River St stays open during shows but pedestrian traffic is heavy post-show. Exit early if you hate standing still in traffic.
Mohawk (912 Red River St)
Indoor/outdoor venue, great for mid-size shows. Palm School Garage covers this too. Mohawk is slightly north of Stubb's, so E 9th St metered spots work well here.
Empire Control Room & Garage (606 E 7th St)
Electronic and DJ venue. Closer to the downtown core — the Convention Center garages are actually better positioned here than Palm School. E 7th St has metered parking right out front.
Emo's Austin (2015 E Riverside Dr)
Note: Emo's is NOT on Red River — it relocated to East Riverside Drive. Free parking in the Emo's surface lot. No garage needed.
Parish (214 E 6th St)
Parish is on East 6th, not Red River proper. See our 6th Street parking guide for options here. The 6th/Brazos garages work well.
Cheer Up Charlies / Hotel Vegas / Barracuda (East 6th)
These East 6th institutions are a 5-minute walk from Red River. See our East Austin parking guide — free street parking east of Chicon is the move.
Stubb's Outdoor Shows — Street Closures
For major Stubb's outdoor shows, the City of Austin sometimes implements temporary no-parking zones and crowd management lanes on Red River between 7th and 9th. Check local news or the show promoter's social media 48 hours ahead for any posted notices. This typically only affects shows with 2,000+ attendance.
The safest call on these nights: Palm School Garage (already off Red River) is unaffected by street closures.
Cheap and Free Alternatives
East 7th / East 8th Street Residential
Cross Red River heading east on 7th or 8th and you'll hit metered parking that thins out to free residential within 2–3 blocks. The walk back is 5–8 minutes through reasonably well-lit streets.
Rainey Street Approach
On non-sold-out nights, Rainey Street garages are underutilized after 9 PM because the bar crowd has already come and gone. Walk 10 minutes north on Red River. Free street parking on Rainey itself opens up late.
Most Red River shows end between midnight and 2 AM. Meters are free by then on weekdays. If you park for free in the street after 10 PM, you're in great shape — just know the block you're on and what time morning enforcement starts (usually 8 AM). Don't get a 7 AM ticket after a great show.
Things To Do in the Red River District
Legendary BBQ restaurant + outdoor amphitheater. Come early for dinner before the show — the brisket is worth it. Park at Palm School Garage.
One of Austin's best outdoor stages with a great sound setup. The patio upstairs has views of downtown. E 9th St metered or Palm School Garage.
East 6th Street restaurants are a short walk and far less crowded than downtown options before shows. Park once, walk to dinner, walk to venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I park for Stubb's Amphitheater?
Palm School Garage (411 E 8th St) is the closest — 2-minute walk. Pre-book on SpotHero for $10–15 flat on show nights. Walk-up surface lots nearby charge $20–25 on big shows.
Are meters free on Red River at night?
Weekdays after 10 PM, yes. Weekends after midnight. During peak hours ($1.50–2.00/hr), use the Park ATX app or kiosk on the block.
Is Red River Street closed during shows?
Usually not, but pedestrian traffic is heavy post-show. Red River may have crowd management zones for very large outdoor events. Check show-specific updates 48 hours ahead.
Is the Red River District safe to walk to from downtown parking?
Yes — Red River is well-lit and populated with bar/venue staff and other concertgoers. The walk from the Convention Center garages (5–7 min) or from East 6th area parking is standard for Austin nightlife.